Broadcasting System, Broadcasting Station Apparatus, Receiving Device, and Broadcasting Method

ABSTRACT

A receiving device receives a plurality of first and second program information. The first program information is information relating to each of broadcasting scheduled programs within a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of a broadcasting signal by a broadcasting station apparatus. The second program information is information relating to a broadcasting scheduled program in the future after a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal. A controller in the receiving device stores, when there is a reservation based on the second program information, the reserved second program information in a reservation information storage. Thereafter, the controller compares the reserved second program information with a plurality of first program information newly received, and determines whether or not there is first program information that coincides with the second program information. The controller updates, when there is first program information that coincides with the second program information, information relating to the reserved program stored in the reservation information storage on the basis of the first program information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a broadcasting system, a broadcastingstation apparatus, a receiving device, and a broadcasting method.

BACKGROUND ART

Broadcasting systems comprise broadcasting station apparatuses servingas transmission systems for transmitting program broadcasting signalsfrom broadcasting stations, and receiving devices (e.g. televisionreceivers or the like) serving as receiving systems for receiving thebroadcasting signals transmitted by the broadcasting stationapparatuses.

In a digital broadcasting system, a plurality of information aremultiplexed on a broadcasting signal transmitted from a transmissionsystem to a receiving system so that the function of the receivingsystem is diversified to meet viewers requirements.

For example, a service for presenting information relating to programsscheduled to be broadcast (hereinafter referred to as broadcastingscheduled programs) to viewers have been put to practical use. Thisservice causes the information relating to the broadcasting scheduledprograms to be multiplexed on a broadcasting signal as EPS (ElectricProgram Guide) data in a transmission system and be transmitted to areceiving system.

In the receiving system, the EPG data is extracted from the fedbroadcasting signal, so that the information relating to thebroadcasting scheduled programs are presented to the viewer.

The information relating to the broadcasting scheduled programs can bedisplayed on a television screen by thus multiplexing the EPG data onthe broadcasting signal. This makes it possible for the viewer todesignate the desired broadcasting scheduled program on the basis of thedisplayed information relating to the broadcasting scheduled programsand reserve the designated program. Such a function that the viewer canreserve the desired broadcasting scheduled program is hereinafterreferred to as a program reserving function.

Here, there is a character broadcasting receiving device comprising theprogram reserving function (see Patent Document 1, for example). In theEPG data used for the character broadcasting receiving device, a“program title”, a “broadcasting start time”, a “program end time”, a“channel”, and a “program identifier” are associated with each of thebroadcasting scheduled programs.

The “program title” is the title of the associated broadcastingscheduled program, and the “broadcasting start time” is the time whenthe broadcasting scheduled program is scheduled to start. The“broadcasting end time” is the time when the broadcasting scheduledprogram is scheduled to end, and the “channel” is a channel on which thebroadcasting scheduled program is broadcast. The “program identifier” isfor identifying each of the broadcasting scheduled programs and aprogram that is being broadcast.

The EPG data is inputted to the character broadcasting receiving device,and the inputted EPG data is stored in a buffer memory as needed. In acase where the viewer reserves a desired broadcasting scheduled program(hereinafter referred to as a designated program), the EPG data relatingto the designated program out of the EPG data stored in the buffermemory is stored in a reserved program memory. That is, the “programtitle”, the “broadcasting start time”, the “broadcasting end time”, the“channel”, and the “program identifier” that are associated with thedesignated program are stored in the reserved program memory.

Therefore, a microcomputer in the character broadcasting receivingdevice compares the “broadcasting start time” for the designated programstored in the reserved program memory with the current time measured bya timer circuit. The microcomputer tunes in to the “channel” for thedesignated program when the current time comes closer to the“broadcasting start time” for the designated program.

The microcomputer extracts the EPG data relating to the broadcastingscheduled program, which coincides with the “channel” for the designatedprogram, out of the EPG data continuously stored in the buffer memory.Further, the microcomputer extracts the EPG data relating to thedesignated program out of the EPG data on the basis of the “programidentifier” for the designated program.

Thereafter, the microcomputer compares the “broadcasting start time” andthe “broadcasting end time” in the EPG data relating to the designatedprogram extracted from the buffer memory with the “broadcasting starttime” and the “broadcasting end time” for the designated program storedin the reserved program memory. Thus, it is determined whether or notthere are changes in the “broadcasting start time” and the “broadcastingend time” for the designated program.

In a case where there are no changes, on the basis of the “broadcastingstart time” and the “broadcasting end time” for the designated programstored in the reserved program memory, the designated program isrecorded. On the other hand, in a case where there are changes, the“broadcasting start time” and the “broadcasting end time” for thedesignated program stored in the reserved program memory are changed onthe basis of the EPG data relating to the designated program extractedfrom the buffer memory.

Thus, in the character broadcasting receiving device in Patent Document1, when the “broadcasting start time” and the “broadcasting end time”for the designated program, which will be actually broadcast after beingreserved, are changed, the “broadcasting start time” and the“broadcasting end time” for the designated program stored in thereserved program memory are changed on the basis of the “programidentifier” in the EPG data inputted as needed.

In the current digital broadcasting system, pfEIT (present followingEvent Information Table) data is transmitted from a transmission systemto a receiving system. The pfEIT data represents information relating toprograms that are being currently broadcast and will be next broadcast.In the pfEIT data, the above-mentioned “program identifier”,“broadcasting start time”, and “broadcasting end time” are alsoassociated with each of the programs that are being currently broadcastand will be next broadcast.

In a case where the pfEIT data is transmitted from the transmissionsystem, the character broadcasting receiving device monitors the“program identifier” in the pfEIT data, and compares the EPG datarelating to the designated program stored in the reserved program memorywith the pfEIT data.

The character broadcasting receiving device extracts the EPG datarelating to the designated program stored in the reserved program memoryand the pfEIT data relating to the same program as the designatedprogram on the basis of the “program identifier”. Therefore, thecharacter broadcasting receiving device determines whether or not thereare changes in the “broadcasting start time” and the “broadcasting endtime” for the designated program, and changes the “broadcasting starttime” and the “broadcasting end time” for the designated program storedin the reserved program memory when there are changes.

The character broadcasting receiving device thus makes it possible forthe viewer to reliably record the designated program even in a casewhere the time when the designated program is broadcast is changed fromthe time point where the designated program is reserved to the actualtime of broadcasting.

[Patent Document 1] JP 2000-50216 A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

As a service for presenting information relating to a broadcastingscheduled program to a viewer has been put to practical use, ProgramArrangement Information Standard (STD-B10) employed for a digitalbroadcasting system has been formulated by Association of RadioIndustries and Businesses (ARIS). In the current digital broadcastingsystem, therefore, EPG data is transmitted from a transmission system onthe basis of the standard.

In the above-mentioned standard, the contents of the EPG datatransmitted from the transmission system to a receiving system arelimited to broadcasting scheduled programs within a predetermined timeperiod (e.g., corresponding to one week) from the time of transmissionof the EPG data.

On the other hand, organization of future broadcasting scheduledprograms (hereinafter referred to as future programs) after apredetermined time period (one week) from the time of transmission ofthe EPG data was transmitted by the transmission system may, in somecases, be determined.

Even in such a case, the EPG data relating to the future program whoseorganization has already been determined is not transmitted from thetransmission system to the receiving system according to theabove-mentioned standard. Consequently, the viewer cannot reserve thefuture program.

In such a way, the following is the reason why the EPG data relating tothe future program whose organization has already been determined is nottransmitted from the transmission system to the receiving system.

As described above, in the current program reserving function, EPG dataincluding a “program identifier” must be transmitted from thetransmission system to the receiving system. In the configuration of thecurrent transmission system, when the organization of all broadcastingscheduled programs within a predetermined time period from the time oftransmission of the EPG data was transmitted is not determined, however,the “program identifier” cannot be associated with each of thebroadcasting scheduled programs.

That is, even if the future program whose organization has already beendetermined exists, the organization of all the future programs is notdetermined in the future after a predetermined time period from the timeof transmission of the EPG data, so that the “program identifier” cannotbe associated with each of the broadcasting scheduled programsConsequently, the “program identifier” relating to the future program isnot transmitted from the transmission system to the receiving system. Asa result, the viewer cannot reserve the future program.

Means for Solving the Problems

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcasting system,a broadcasting station apparatus, a receiving device, and a broadcastingmethod capable of reserving not only a broadcasting scheduled programwithin a predetermined time period from the time of transmission of abroadcasting signal but also a broadcasting scheduled program after apredetermined time period from the time of transmission of thebroadcasting signal.

(1)

A broadcasting system according to an aspect of the present invention isa broadcasting system comprising a broadcasting station apparatus thattransmits a broadcasting signal including the contents of a program anda receiving device that receives the broadcasting signal including thecontents of the program, wherein the broadcasting station apparatusincludes a transmitter that transmits the broadcasting signal, and aprogram information generator that generates first program informationrelating to a broadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined timeperiod from the time of transmission of the broadcasting signal andsecond program information relating to a broadcasting scheduled programafter the predetermined time period from the time of transmission of thebroadcasting signal, the transmitter transmits the first programinformation generated by the program information generator together withthe broadcasting signal, the first program information includes a firstprogram identifier for identifying the broadcasting scheduled programwithin the predetermined time period and organization informationrelating to organization of the broadcasting scheduled program, thesecond program information includes organization information relating toorganization of the broadcasting scheduled program, and the receivingdevice includes a receiver that receives the broadcasting signal and thefirst program information, an acquisition unit that acquires the secondprogram information, a storage that stores the first program informationreceived by the receiver and the second program information acquired bythe acquisition unit, and a reservation unit that reserves thebroadcasting scheduled program on the basis of the first or secondprogram information stored in the storage.

In the broadcasting station apparatus in the broadcasting system, thefirst program information relating to the broadcasting scheduled programwithin the predetermined time period from the time of transmission ofthe broadcasting signal and the second program information relating tothe broadcasting scheduled program after the predetermined time periodfrom the time of transmission of the broadcasting signal are generatedby the program information generator. The first program informationgenerated by the program information generator, together with thebroadcasting signal, is transmitted by the transmitter.

On the other hand, in the receiving device in the broadcasting system,the broadcasting signal and the first program information are receivedby the receiver, the second program information is acquired by theacquisition unit, and the first program information received by thereceiver and the second program information acquired by the acquisitionunit are stored by the storage.

The broadcasting scheduled program is reserved by the reservation uniton the basis of the first program identifier for identifying thebroadcasting scheduled program within the predetermined time periodincluded in the first program information and the organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram or the organization information relating to organization of thebroadcasting scheduled program included in the second programinformation.

Thus, the viewer can also reserve not only the broadcasting scheduledprogram within the predetermined time period from the time oftransmission of the broadcasting signal but also the broadcastingscheduled program after the predetermined time period from the time oftransmission of the broadcasting signal.

(2)

The transmitter in the broadcasting station apparatus may transmit thesecond program information generated by the program informationgenerator together with the broadcasting signal, and the receiver in thereceiving device may function as the acquisition unit, and furtherreceive the second program information, to acquire the second programinformation.

In this case, the second program information generated by the programinformation generator in the broadcasting station apparatus, togetherwith the broadcasting signal, is transmitted by the transmitter. Thesecond program information transmitted by the transmitter is received bythe receiver in the receiving device. Thus, the acquisition of thesecond program information in the receiving device is reliablyperformed.

(3)

The receiving device may further include an input device for inputtingthe second program information, and the acquisition unit in thereceiving device may acquire the second program information inputted bythe input device. In this case, the second program information inputtedby the input device is acquired by the acquisition unit in the receivingdevice. Thus, the acquisition of the second program information in thereceiving device is reliably performed.

(4)

The second program information may be stored in a predetermined serverconnected to the Internet, and the acquisition unit in the receivingdevice may acquire the second program information by downloading fromthe predetermined server through the Internet. In this case, the secondprogram information is downloaded from the predetermined server throughthe Internet by the acquisition unit in the receiving device. Thus, theacquisition of the second program information in the receiving device isreliably performed.

(5)

The receiving device may further include a storing unit that stores thefirst or second program information corresponding to the broadcastingscheduled program reserved by the reservation unit, a replacement unitthat replaces, when the first program information corresponding to thesecond program information stored in the storing unit is received by thereceiver, the second program information stored in the storing unit withthe first program information received by the receiver, and an outputunit that outputs a broadcasting signal corresponding to thebroadcasting scheduled program reserved by the reservation unit on thebasis of the first program identifier in the first program informationstored in the storage.

In this case, the storing unit stores the first or second programinformation corresponding to the broadcasting scheduled program reservedby the reservation unit. When the first program informationcorresponding to the second program information stored in the storingunit is received by the receiver, the replacement unit replaces thesecond program information stored in the storing unit with the receivedfirst program information.

The output unit outputs the broadcasting signal corresponding to thebroadcasting scheduled program reserved by the reservation unit on thebasis of the first program identifier in the first program informationstored in the storage.

This makes it possible for the viewer to view or record a programcorresponding to the broadcasting scheduled program on the basis of theoutputted broadcasting signal.

(6)

The organization information may include a broadcasting start time, abroadcasting channel, and a program title for the broadcasting scheduledprogram, the receiving device may further comprise a determination unitthat determines a correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver on the basis of the broadcasting start time,the broadcasting channel, and the program title for the broadcastingscheduled program, and the replacement unit may replace the secondprogram information stored in the storing unit with the first programinformation received by the receiver on the basis of the correspondencerelationship determined by the determination unit.

In this case, in the receiving device, the determination unit determinesthe correspondence relationship between the second program informationstored in the storing unit and the first program information received bythe receiver on the basis of the organization information including thebroadcasting start time, the broadcasting channel, and the program titlefor the broadcasting scheduled program. The replacement unit replacesthe second program information stored in the storing unit with thereceived first program information on the basis of the determinedcorrespondence relationship.

Thus, the correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver is reliably determined, and the second programinformation is accurately replaced with the first program information.

As a result, the viewer can accurately output a program broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program andaccurately view or record the program on the basis of the broadcastingsignal.

(7)

The second program information may include a second program identifierfor identifying the broadcasting scheduled program after thepredetermined time period, the first program information correspondingto the second program information may include the second programidentifier, the receiving device may further include a determinationunit that determines a correspondence relationship between the secondprogram information stored in the storing unit and the first programinformation received by the receiver on the basis of the second programidentifier, and the replacement unit may replace the second programinformation stored in the storing unit with the first programinformation received by the receiver on the basis of the correspondencerelationship determined by the determination unit.

In this case, the correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver is determined by the determination unit on thebasis of the second program identifier.

Thus, the correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver is reliably determined, and the second programinformation is accurately replaced with the first program information.

As a result, the viewer can accurately output the program broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program andaccurately view or record the program on the basis of the broadcastingsignal.

(8)

A receiving device according to another aspect of the present inventionis a receiving device that receives a broadcasting signal including thecontents of a program transmitted from a broadcasting station apparatus,comprising a receiver that receives the broadcasting signal and firstprogram information relating to a broadcasting scheduled program withina predetermined time period from the date of transmission of thebroadcasting signal by the broadcasting station apparatus; anacquisition unit that acquires second program information relating to abroadcasting scheduled program after the predetermined time period; astorage that stores the first program information received by thereceiver and the second program information acquired by the acquisitionunit; and a reservation unit that reserves the broadcasting scheduledprogram on the basis of the first or second program information storedin the storage, the first program information including a first programidentifier for identifying the broadcasting scheduled program within thepredetermined time period and organization information relating toorganization of the broadcasting scheduled program, and the secondprogram information including organization information relating toorganization of the broadcasting scheduled program.

In the receiving device, the receiver receives the broadcasting signaland the first program information, the acquisition unit acquires thesecond program information, and the storage stores the first programinformation received by the receiver and the second program informationacquired by the acquisition unit.

Therefore, the reservation unit reserves the broadcasting scheduledprogram on the basis of the first program identifier and theorganization information that are included in the first programinformation or the organization information included in the secondprogram information.

This makes it possible for the viewer to reserve not only thebroadcasting scheduled program within the predetermined time period fromthe time of transmission of the broadcasting signal but also thebroadcasting scheduled program after the predetermined time period fromthe time of transmission of the broadcasting signal.

(9)

The second program information may be transmitted by the broadcastingstation apparatus, and the receiver may function as the acquisitionunit, and further receive the second program information, to acquire thesecond program information. In this case, the second program informationis transmitted by the broadcasting station apparatus. The second programinformation transmitted by the broadcasting station apparatus isreceived by the receiver. Thus, the acquisition of the second programinformation is reliably performed.

(10)

The receiving device may further include an input device for inputtingthe second program information, and the acquisition unit may acquire thesecond program information inputted by the input device. In this case,the second program information inputted by the input device is acquiredby the acquisition unit. Thus, the acquisition of the second programinformation is reliably performed.

(11)

The second program information may be stored in a predetermined serverconnected to the Internet, and the acquisition unit may acquire thesecond program information by downloading from the predetermined serverthrough the Internet. In this case, the second program information isdownloaded from the predetermined server through the Internet by theacquisition unit. Thus, the acquisition of the second programinformation is reliably performed.

(12)

The receiving device may further include a storing unit that stores thefirst or second program information corresponding to the broadcastingscheduled program reserved by the reservation unit, a replacement unitthat replaces, when the first program information corresponding to thesecond program information stored in the storing unit is received by thereceiver, the second program information stored in the storing unit withthe first program information received by the receiver, and an outputunit that outputs a broadcasting signal corresponding to thebroadcasting scheduled program reserved by the reservation unit on thebasis of the first program identifier in the first program informationstored in the storage.

In this case, the storing unit stores the first or second programinformation corresponding to the broadcasting scheduled program reservedby the reservation unit, and the replacement unit replaces, when thefirst program information corresponding to the second programinformation stored in the storing unit is received by the receiver, thesecond program information stored in the storing unit with the receivedfirst program information.

The output unit outputs the broadcasting signal corresponding to thebroadcasting scheduled program reserved by the reservation unit on thebasis of the first program identifier in the first program informationstored in the storage.

This makes it possible for the viewer to view or record a programcorresponding to the broadcasting scheduled program on the basis of theoutputted broadcasting signal.

(13)

The organization information may include a broadcasting start time, abroadcasting channel, and a program title for the broadcasting scheduledprogram, the receiving device may further comprise a determination unitthat determines a correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver on the basis of the broadcasting start time,the broadcasting channel, and the program title for the broadcastingscheduled program, and the replacement unit may replace the secondprogram information stored in the storing unit with the first programinformation received by the receiver on the basis of the correspondencerelationship determined by the determination unit.

In this case, the determination unit determines the correspondencerelationship between the second program information stored in thestoring unit and the first program information received by the receiveron the basis of the organization information including the broadcastingstart time, the broadcasting channel, and the program title for thebroadcasting scheduled program. The replacement unit replaces the secondprogram information stored in the storing unit with the received firstprogram information on the basis of the determined correspondencerelationship.

Thus, the correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver is reliably determined, and the second programinformation is accurately replaced with the first program information.

As a result, the viewer can accurately output a program broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program andaccurately view or record the program on the basis of the broadcastingsignal.

(14)

The second program information may include a second program identifierfor identifying the broadcasting scheduled program after thepredetermined time period, the first program information correspondingto the second program information may include the second programidentifier, the receiving device may further comprise a determinationunit that determines a correspondence relationship between the secondprogram information stored in the storing unit and the first programinformation received by the receiver on the basis of the second programidentifier, and the replacement unit may replace the second programinformation stored in the storing unit with the first programinformation received by the receiver on the basis of the correspondencerelationship determined by the determination unit.

In this case, the correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver is determined by the determination unit on thebasis of the second program identifier.

Thus, the correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in the storing unit and the first program informationreceived by the receiver is reliably determined, and the second programinformation is accurately replaced with the first program information.

As a result, the viewer can accurately output the program broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program andaccurately view or record the program on the basis of the broadcastingsignal.

(15)

A broadcasting station apparatus according to still another aspect ofthe present invention is a broadcasting station apparatus that transmitsa broadcasting signal including the contents of a program, including atransmitter that transmits the broadcasting signal, and a programinformation generator that generates first program information relatingto a broadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined time periodfrom the time of transmission of the broadcasting signal and secondprogram information relating to a broadcasting scheduled program afterthe predetermined time period from the time of transmission of thebroadcasting signal, the transmitter transmitting the first programinformation generated by the program information generator together withthe broadcasting signal, the first program information including a firstprogram identifier for identifying the broadcasting scheduled programwithin the predetermined time period and organization informationrelating to organization of the broadcasting scheduled program, thesecond program information including organization information relatingto organization of the broadcasting scheduled program.

In the broadcasting station apparatus, the first program information andthe second program information are generated by the program informationgenerator. The first program information generated by the programinformation generator, together with the broadcasting signal, istransmitted by the transmitter.

Here, the first program information includes the first programidentifier for identifying the broadcasting scheduled program within thepredetermined time period and the organization information relating toorganization of the broadcasting scheduled program, and the secondprogram information includes the organization information relating toorganization of the broadcasting scheduled program.

Consequently, the viewer can reserve not only the broadcasting scheduledprogram within the predetermined time period from the time oftransmission of the broadcasting signal but also the broadcastingscheduled program after the predetermined time period from the time oftransmission of the broadcasting signal was transmitted by using thereceiving device that receives the broadcasting signal and the firstprogram information and acquires the second program information.

(16)

The transmitter may transmit the second program information generated bythe program information generator together with the broadcasting signal.In this case, the second program information generated by the programinformation generator, together with the broadcasting signal, istransmitted by the transmitter. This allows the receiving device toreceive the second program information. Consequently, the acquisition ofthe second program information in the receiving device is reliablyperformed.

(17)

The organization information may include a broadcasting start time, abroadcasting channel, and a program title for the broadcasting scheduledprogram.

In this case, in the receiving device, it is possible to determine thecorrespondence relationship between the first and second programinformation on the basis of the broadcasting start time, thebroadcasting channel, and the program title for the broadcastingscheduled program.

As a result, the viewer can accurately output the program broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program onthe basis of the first program information corresponding to the secondprogram information relating to the broadcasting scheduled program evenwhen he or she reserves the broadcasting scheduled program on the basisof the second program information, and accurately view or record theprogram on the basis of the broadcasting signal.

(18)

The second program information may include a second program identifierfor identifying a broadcasting scheduled program after the predeterminedtime period, and the first program information corresponding to thesecond program information may include the second program identifier.

In this case, the second program information including the secondprogram identifier is generated by the program information generator.The first program information including the second program identifier isgenerated by the program information generator in correspondence withthe second program information.

This allows the correspondence relationship between the first and secondprogram information to be determined on the basis of the second programidentifier in the receiving device.

As a result, the viewer can accurately output the program broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program onthe basis of the first program information corresponding to the secondprogram information relating to the broadcasting scheduled program evenwhen he or she reserves the broadcasting scheduled program on the basisof the second program information, and accurately view or record theprogram on the basis of the broadcasting signal.

(19)

A broadcasting method according to still another aspect of the presentinvention is a broadcasting method for transmitting a broadcastingsignal including the contents of a program by a broadcasting stationapparatus and receiving the broadcasting signal including the contentsof the program by a receiving device, including the steps oftransmitting the broadcasting signal by the broadcasting stationapparatus, generating first program information relating to abroadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined time period fromthe time of transmission of the broadcasting signal and second programinformation relating to a broadcasting scheduled program after thepredetermined time period from the time of transmission of thebroadcasting signal in the broadcasting station apparatus, transmittingthe generated first program information together with the broadcastingsignal by the broadcasting station apparatus, receiving the broadcastingsignal and the first program information in the receiving device,acquiring the second program information in the receiving device,storing the received first program information and the acquired secondprogram information in the receiving device, and reserving thebroadcasting scheduled program on the basis of the stored first orsecond program information, the first program information including afirst program identifier for identifying the broadcasting scheduledprogram within the predetermined time period and organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram, the second program information including organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram.

According to the broadcasting method, in the broadcasting stationapparatus, the first program information relating to the broadcastingscheduled program within the predetermined time period from the time oftransmission of the broadcasting signal and the second programinformation relating to the broadcasting scheduled program after thepredetermined time period from the time of transmission of thebroadcasting signal are generated. The generated first programinformation, together with the broadcasting signal, is transmitted.

In the receiving device, the broadcasting signal and the first programinformation are received, the second program information is acquired,and the received first program information and the acquired secondprogram information are stored.

Therefore, the broadcasting scheduled program is reserved on the basisof the first program identifier for identifying the broadcastingscheduled program within the predetermined time period included in thefirst program information and the organization information relating toorganization of the broadcasting scheduled program or the organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram included in the second program information.

This makes it possible for the viewer to reserve not only thebroadcasting scheduled program within the predetermined time period fromthe time of transmission of the broadcasting signal but also thebroadcasting scheduled program after the predetermined time period fromthe time of transmission of the broadcasting signal.

(20)

The step of reserving the broadcasting scheduled program in thereceiving device may include the steps of storing the first or secondprogram information corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduledprogram in the receiving device, replacing, when the first programinformation corresponding to the stored second program information isreceived, the stored second program information with the received firstprogram information in the receiving device, and outputting abroadcasting signal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduledprogram on the basis of the first program identifier in the stored firstprogram information by the receiving device.

In this case, in the receiving device, the first or second programinformation corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled programis stored. When the first program information corresponding to thestored second program information is received, the stored second programinformation is replaced with the received first program information.

The broadcasting signal corresponding to the broadcasting scheduledprogram reserved by the reservation unit is outputted on the basis ofthe first program identifier in the stored first program information.

This makes it possible for the viewer to view or record the programcorresponding to the broadcasting scheduled program on the basis of theoutputted broadcasting signal.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTIONS

A broadcasting system, a broadcasting station apparatus, a receivingdevice, and a broadcasting method according to the present inventionallows a viewer to reserve not only a broadcasting scheduled programwithin a predetermined time period from the time of transmission of abroadcasting signal but also a broadcasting scheduled program after apredetermined time period from the time of transmission of thebroadcasting signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a broadcastingsystem according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 a is a diagram showing an example of first program information onMay 1 in the broadcasting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 b is a diagram showing an example of second program informationon May 1 in the broadcasting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 a is a diagram showing an example of first program information onMay 2 in the broadcasting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 b is a diagram showing an example of second program informationon May 2 in the broadcasting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 a is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a firstpacket multiplexed on a broadcasting signal in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 b is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of asecond packet multiplexed on a broadcasting signal in the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of a controller at the timeof reservation of a defined program and a future program.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of a controller at the timeof reservation of a defined program and a future program.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing program information updating processingby a controller shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure for reservation in a casewhere a viewer reserves a future program in the broadcasting systemaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on aprogram output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on aprogram output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 11 a is a diagram showing an example of a date tag displayed on adate retrieval screen shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 b is a diagram showing another example of a date tag displayedon a date retrieval screen shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 c is a diagram showing still another example of a date tagdisplayed on a date retrieval screen shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on aprogram output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on aprogram output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on aprogram output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on aprogram output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 16 a is a diagram showing an example of a topics screen displayedon a program output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation ofa future program by a viewer.

FIG. 16 b is a diagram showing an example of a mail screen displayed ona program output device shown in FIG. 1 at the time of reservation of afuture program by a viewer.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the other configuration of thebroadcasting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the still other configuration of thebroadcasting system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 a is a diagram showing an example of first program informationon May 1 in a broadcasting system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 19 b is a diagram showing an example of second program informationon May 1 in the broadcasting system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 a is a diagram showing an example of first program informationon May 2 in the broadcasting system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 b is a diagram showing an example of second program informationon May 2 in the broadcasting system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 a is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of afirst packet multiplexed on a broadcasting signal in the secondembodiment.

FIG. 21 b is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of asecond packet multiplexed on a broadcasting signal in the secondembodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailreferring to the drawings. The embodiments below describe a broadcastingsystem, a broadcasting station apparatus, a receiving device, and abroadcasting method.

(1) First Embodiment

(a) Configuration of Broadcasting System

Description is made of a broadcasting system according to a firstembodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of thebroadcasting system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG.1, a broadcasting system 1 according to the present embodiment comprisesa broadcasting station apparatus 10, a satellite 20, and a receivingdevice 30.

The broadcasting station apparatus 10 comprises a video material storage11, a voice material storage 12, a data material storage 13, a firstprogram information storage 14, a second program information storage 15,a broadcasting controller 16, a broadcasting information generationdevice 17, a multiplexer 18, and a digital broadcasting transmissionantenna 19.

The video material storage 11 stores materials relating to video. Thevoice material storage 12 stores materials relating to voice, and thedata material storage 13 stores materials relating to data (e.g.,character data).

The broadcasting information generation device 17 generates a pluralityof first program information and second program information, describedlater. The broadcasting controller 16 stores the plurality of first andsecond program information generated by the broadcasting informationgeneration device 17, respectively, in the first program informationstorage 14 and the second program information storage 15.

Here, in the present embodiment, the video material storage 11, thevoice material storage 12, the data material storage 13, the firstprogram information storage 14, and the second program informationstorage 15 are storages such as a hard disk, for example. Thebroadcasting controller 16 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), forexample. The broadcasting information generation device 17 is akeyboard, for example.

The multiplexer 18 multiplexes the materials relating to the video, thevoice, and the data and the plurality of first and second programinformation as a broadcasting signal. Thus, the broadcasting signal istransmitted to a receiving device 30 through the digital broadcastingtransmission antenna 19 and the satellite 20 as radio waves. In thepresent embodiment, the broadcasting signal is composed of digital databased on MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) Standard, for example.

The receiving device 30 comprises a digital broadcasting receivingantenna 31, a decoder 32, a controller 33, a first program informationstorage 34, a second program information storage 35, a reservedinformation storage 36, a program output device 37, and an operationdevice 38. The controller 33 comprises a reservation monitor 331, atimer 332, a reservation updating unit 333, a reservation setter 334,and a tuner 335. In the present embodiment, the receiver 30 is atelevision receiver.

The broadcasting signal transmitted from the broadcasting stationapparatus 10 is received by the digital broadcasting receiving antenna31 in the receiver 30. The received broadcasting signal is decoded bythe decoder 32. Thus, the materials relating to the video, the voice,and the data and the plurality of first and second program informationare respectively separated. The controller 33 causes the plurality offirst and second program information to be respectively stored in thefirst program information storage 34 and the second program informationstorage 35.

In the broadcasting system 1 according to the present embodiment, aviewer can reserve viewing or recording of a desired broadcastingscheduled program. The controller 33 causes, when the broadcastingscheduled program is reserved, information relating to the reservedbroadcasting scheduled program to be stored in the reservationinformation storage 36. The respective operations of the unitsconstituting the controller 33 will be described later.

In the present embodiment, the first program information storage 34, thesecond program information storage 35, the reservation informationstorage 36 are storage devices such as hard disks, for example. Thecontroller 33 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example.

The operation device 38 is a remote controller, and the program outputdevice 37 is a display device such as a cathode ray tube, a liquidcrystal display panel, or a plasma display panel.

(b) Details of First and Second Program Information

In the broadcasting system 1 according to the present embodiment, eachof the plurality of first and second program information is informationrelating to a broadcasting scheduled program. Consequently, the contentsof the first and second program information are changed with an elapseof the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal. The details ofthe first and second program information will be described on the basisof the first and second program information on May 1 and May 2 as anexample.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing examples of the first and secondprogram information that are changed with an elapse of the date oftransmission of the broadcasting signal in the broadcasting system 1according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 a shows an example of the first program information on May 1, andFIG. 2 b shows an example of the second program information on May 1.FIG. 3 a shows an example of the first program information on May 2, andFIG. 3 b shows an example of the second program information on May 2.

In the present embodiment, the first program information is informationrelating to each of broadcasting scheduled programs within apredetermined time period from the date of transmission of thebroadcasting signal by the broadcasting station apparatus 10. In thisexample, the organization of all the broadcasting scheduled programscorresponding to eight days from the date of transmission of thebroadcasting signal shall be determined before the date of transmissionof the broadcasting signal. The broadcasting scheduled program whoseorganization has been determined within the predetermined time periodfrom the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal is referred toas a defined program.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 3 a, a “program identifier”, a “channel”, a“broadcasting start time”, a “program title”, and a “genre” areassociated with the defined program in the first program information.

The “program title” is the title of each of the defined programs, andthe “broadcasting start time” is the time when the defined program isscheduled to start. The “channel” is a channel on which the definedprogram is broadcast, and the “genre” indicates the classification ofthe defined program. The “program identifier” is a number foridentifying the defined program. Consecutive numerals are given to the“program identifiers” for a plurality of defined programs for channelsin the order of the “broadcasting start time”.

The broadcasting scheduled program whose organization has beendetermined out of the broadcasting scheduled programs in the futureafter a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of thebroadcasting signal is referred to as a future program.

In the present embodiment, the second program information is informationrelating to each of future programs. As shown in FIGS. 2 b and 3 b, a“channel”, a “broadcasting start time”, and a “program title” areassociated with the future program in the second program information. Inthe second program information, a “program identifier” is not thus givento each of the future programs.

Here, the contents of the first and second program information arechanged with an elapse of the date of transmission of the broadcastingsignal, as described above. That is, the information relating to each ofthe defined programs from May 1 to May 8 is the first programinformation at the time point of May 1 (see FIG. 2 a), and theinformation relating to each of the defined programs from May 2 to May 9is the second program information at the time point of May 2 (see FIG. 3a).

The information relating to each of the future programs on May 9 andlater is the second program information at the time point of May 1 (seeFIG. 2 b), and the information relating to each of the defined programson May 10 and later is the second program information at the time pointof May 2 (see FIG. 3 b).

Thus, the information relating to the future program on May 9 (see anarrow Y in FIG. 2 b, for example) that is the second program informationat the time point of May 1 is the first program information asinformation relating to the defined program at the time point of May 2(see an arrow Z in FIG. 3 a, for example), as shown in FIGS. 2 b and 3b.

Although in the present embodiment, the plurality of first and secondprogram information are generated by the broadcasting informationgeneration device 17 and are transmitted to the receiving device 30, thenumber of first program information generated by the broadcastinginformation generation device 17 may be one, or the number of secondprogram information generated by the broadcasting information generationdevice 17 may be also one.

Although in the present embodiment, the contents of the first and secondprogram information are changed with an elapse of the date oftransmission of the broadcasting signal, the contents of the first andsecond program information may be transmitted every time the contents ofthe first and second program information are changed.

(c) Method of Transmitting First and Second Program Information

As described above, each of the plurality of first and second programinformation is multiplexed as a broadcasting signal by the multiplexer18 shown in FIG. 1, and is transmitted to the receiver 30 from thebroadcasting station apparatus 10. In this case, the first programinformation is multiplexed on the broadcasting signal as a first packet,and the second program information is multiplexed thereon as a secondpacket.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the respective configurationsof the first and second packets multiplexed on the broadcasting signalin the first embodiment. FIG. 4 a shows a first packet PA1, and FIG. 4 bshows a second packet PA2.

The first packet PA1 shown in FIG. 4 a includes a “first flag”, a“program identifier”, a “channel”, a “broadcasting start time”, a“program title”, and a “genre” in this order.

The second packet PA2 shown in FIG. 4 b includes a “second flag”, a“channel”, a “broadcasting start time”, and a “program title” in thisorder.

The above-mentioned “first flag” indicates that the subsequentinformation is the first program information. The “second flag”indicates that the subsequent information is the second programinformation. This allows the receiving device 30 to respectivelyidentify the first and second program information in the broadcastingsignal by the “first flag” and the “second flag”.

(d) Operation of Controller in Receiving Device at the Time ofReservation of Defined Program and Future Program

The operations of the controller 33 in the receiving device 30 shown inFIG. 1 will be described on the basis of FIGS. 1 to 7. FIGS. 5 and 6 areflow charts showing the operations of the controller 33 at the time ofreservation of a defined program and a future program.

(d-1) Step S101

First, the controller 33 in the receiving device 30 (FIG. 1)respectively identifies and extracts the first and second programinformation on the basis of the “first flag” and the “second flag” fromthe received broadcasting signal. Thus, the controller 33 causes thefirst program information storage 34 and the second program informationstorage 35 shown in FIG. 1 to respectively store the first and secondprogram information (step S101).

(d-2) Specific Example of Step S101

In a case where the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal isMay 1, for example, the plurality of first program information(information relating to defined programs) shown in FIG. 2 a are storedin the first program information storage 34. Further, the plurality ofsecond program information (information relating to future programs)shown in FIG. 2 b are stored in the second program information storage35.

On the other hand, in a case where the date of transmission of thebroadcasting signal is May 2, the plurality of first program informationshown in FIG. 3 a are stored in the first program information storage34. Further, the plurality of second program information shown in FIG. 3b are stored in the second program information storage 35.

(d-3) Step S102

The controller 33 then determines whether or not a signal indicatingthat a broadcasting scheduled program is reserved is received from theoperation device 38 (step S102). The controller 33 repeats theoperations in the steps S101 and S102 when it does not receive thesignal indicating that a broadcasting scheduled program is reserved.

(d-4) Step S103

On the other hand, the controller 33 outputs the plurality of first andsecond program information stored in the first program informationstorage 34 and the second program information storage 35 to the programoutput device 37 shown in FIG. 1 when it receives the signal indicatingthat a broadcasting scheduled program is reserved. Thus, the controller33 causes the program output device 37 to present the plurality of firstand second program information to the viewer (step S103).

That is, the program output device 37 respectively presents theplurality of first and second program information to the viewer when theplurality of first and second program information are inputted. Thisallows the viewer to confirm the first and second program information.

(d-5) Specific Example of Step S103

When the viewer reserves a defined program at the time point of May 1,for example, the plurality of first program information (informationrelating to defined programs) shown in FIG. 2 a are presented to theviewer by the program output device 37. A specific example of thepresenting method will be described later.

When the viewer reserves a future program at the time point of May 1,the plurality of second program information (information relating tofuture programs) shown in FIG. 2 b are presented to the viewer by theprogram output device 37. A specific example of the presenting methodwill be described later.

(d-6) Step S104

Then, the controller 33 determines whether a broadcasting scheduledprogram is selected from the presented plurality of first and secondprogram information by the operation device 38 (step S104).

(d-7) Specific Example of Step S104

For example, the viewer can select a broadcasting scheduled program fromthe plurality of defined programs shown in FIG. 2 a at the time point ofMay 1. Further, the viewer can select a broadcasting scheduled programfrom the plurality of future programs shown in FIG. 2 b at the timepoint of May 1.

(d-3) Step S105

The controller 33 performs, when the broadcasting scheduled program isselected, the operation of reserving the selected broadcasting scheduledprogram. That is, the reservation setter 334 in the controller 33(FIG. 1) extracts information relating to the broadcasting scheduledprogram selected from the plurality of first and second programinformation and stores the extracted information in the reservationinformation storage 36 shown in FIG. 1 (step S105). The reservedbroadcasting scheduled program is hereinafter referred to as a reservedprogram.

(d-9) Specific Example of Step S105

In a case where a defined program “Ancient People” (see an arrow X inFIG. 2 a) is selected at the time point of May 1, first programinformation comprising “program title: Ancient People”, “broadcastingstart time: 20:00 on May 8”, “channel: 100”, “genre: DocumentaryReport”, and “program identifier: 2129”, together with a first flag, isstored in the reservation information storage 36 as information relatingto a reserved program.

In a case where a future program “Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports”(see an arrow Y in FIG. 2 b) is selected at the time point of May 1,second program information comprising “program title: Live Broadcast ofWorld Cup Sports”, “broadcasting start time: 20:00 on May 9”, and“channel: 100”, together with a second flag, is stored in thereservation information storage 36 as information relating to a reservedprogram.

(d-10) Step S106

Thereafter, the reservation updating unit 333 in the controller 33(FIG. 1) determines whether or not the information relating to thereserved program stored in the reservation information storage 36 isfirst program information (step S106).

The reservation updating unit 333 performs the determination operationon the basis of a first or second flag included in the informationrelating to the reserved program. Thus, it is determined whether or notthe reserved program is a definite program or a future program.

The reservation updating unit 333 may perform the determinationoperation on the basis of determination whether or not there is a“program identifier” in the information relating to the reservedprogram. In this case, the information relating to the reserved programincluding a “program identifier” is determined as information relatingto a defined program. The information relating to the reserved programincluding no “program identifier” is determined as information relatingto a future program.

(d-11) Description of pfEIT Data

Here, in the broadcasting system 1 according to the present embodiment,pfEIT (present following Event Information Table) data is transmittedfrom the broadcasting station apparatus 10 to the receiving device 30 asneeded. The pfEIT data represents information relating to a program thatis being currently broadcast and a program that will be next broadcast.

In the pfEIT data, a “channel”, a “broadcasting start time”, and a“program identifier” are associated with each of the programs that arebeing currently broadcast and will be next broadcast.

(d-12) Step S107

The reservation monitor 331 in the controller 33 (FIG. 1) monitors, whenthe information relating to the reserved program is first programinformation (information relating to a defined program), pfEIT data onthe basis of the information relating to the reserved program (“programtitle”, “broadcasting start time”, “channel”, “genre”, “programidentifier”, etc.), and extracts pfEIT data relating to the reservedprogram (step S107).

In this case, the reservation monitor 331 performs monitoring as towhether or not pfEIT data including the same “channel” and “programidentifier” as the “channel” and the “program identifier” for thereserved program stored in the reservation information storage 36 isreceived. Thus, the reservation monitor 331 extracts the pfEIT dataincluding the information relating to the reserved program.

(d-13) Specific Example of Step S107

In a case where information relating to the defined program “AncientPeople” (see the arrow X in FIG. 2 a) broadcast on May 8 is stored inthe reserved information storage 36 as information relating to areserved program at the time point of May 1, for example, thereservation monitor 331 extracts pfEIT data including “broadcastingstart time: 20.00 on May 8” and “program identifier: 2129” for thereserved program.

(d-14) Step S108

Therefore, the reservation monitor 331 determines whether or not the“broadcasting start time” for the reserved program stored in thereservation information storage 36 and the “broadcasting start time” forthe reserved program included in the pfEIT data coincide with eachother.

In other words, it is determined whether or not the “broadcasting starttime” for the reserved program at the time of actual broadcasting ischanged from the “broadcasting start time” for the reserved program setat the time of reservation (step S108).

(d-15) Step S109

The reservation monitor 331 in the controller 33 updates, when the“broadcasting start time” for the reserved program is changed, the“broadcasting start time” in the information relating to the reservedprogram stored in the reservation information storage 36 by the“broadcasting start time” for the reserved program included in the pfEITdata (step S109). On the other hand, the reservation monitor 331maintains, when the “broadcasting start time” for the reserved programis not changed, the information relating to the reserved program storedin the reservation information storage 36.

(d-16) Step S110

Finally, the tuner 335 in the controller 33 tunes in to the “channel”for the reserved program at the “broadcasting start time” for thereserved program on the basis of the current time measured by the timer332 (FIG. 1) (step S110). Thus, the reserved program that is beingbroadcast is reproduced by the program output device 37.

According to the operations in the foregoing steps S107 to S109, even ina case where the “broadcasting start time” for the reserved program hasbeen changed from the time point of the reservation to the time ofactual broadcasting, the operation for reserving the reserved program isreliably performed depending on the changed “broadcasting start time”.

(d-17) Step S200

In the foregoing step S106, the reservation updating unit 333 in thecontroller 33 (FIG. 1) performs program information updating processing,described below, when the information relating to the reserved programis second program information (information relating to a future program)(step S200).

(d-18) Step S201

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the program information updatingprocessing by the controller 33 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, thecontroller 33 causes the first program information storage 34 and thesecond program information storage 35 to respectively store a pluralityof first and second program information newly received in the samemanner as the operation in the foregoing step S101 (step S201).

(d-19) Specific Example of Step S201

Here, the future program “Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” at thetime point of May 1 (see the arrow Y in FIG. 2 b) and the definedprogram “program title: Special Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” atthe time point of May 2 (see the arrow Z in FIG. 3 a) are programshaving the same contents.

In this case, at the time point of May 1, information relating to thefuture program “Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” (“program title:Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports”, “broadcasting start time: 20:00 onMay 9”, and “channel: 100”) is stored in the second program informationstorage 35 as the second program information by the operation in thestep S101 of the controller 33.

Thereafter, at the time point of May 2, information relating to thedefined program “Special Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” newlyreceived (“program title: Special Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports”,“broadcasting start time: 20:00 on May 9”, “channel: 100”, “genre:Sports”, and “program identifier: 2158”) is stored in the first programinformation storage 34 as the first program information by the operationin the step S201 of the controller 33.

(d-20) Step S202

Then, the reservation updating unit 333 in the controller 33 (FIG. 1)compares the information relating to the reserved program with aplurality of first program information newly received from thebroadcasting station apparatus 10 (step S202).

(d-21) Specific Example of Step S202

In this example, the reservation updating unit 333 compares a pluralityof first program information (information relating to defined programs)newly stored in the first program information storage 34 on May 2 withinformation relating to a reserved program stored in the reservationinformation storage 36 on May 1.

(d-22) Step S203

Then, the reservation updating unit 333 determines whether or not theplurality of first program information newly received include firstprogram information that coincides with the information relating to thereserved program stored in the reservation information storage 36 (stepS203).

The determination operation is performed by comparing the “program starttime”, the “channel”, and the “program title” that are associated withthe reserved program with a “broadcasting start time”, a “channel”, anda “program title” that are associated with a defined program in thefirst program information newly received.

That is, the reservation updating unit 333 determines whether or not theplurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that coincides in abroadcasting start time” and a “channel” with the information relatingto the reserved program stored in the reservation information storage 36and coincides therewith in at least a part of a “program title”.

Thus, the reservation updating unit 333 considers, when the informationrelating to the defined program exists in the plurality of first programinformation newly received, the defined program associated with thefirst program information to be the same as the reserved program.

(d-23) Specific Example of Step S203

In this example, the reserved program with which “program title: LiveBroadcast of World Cup Sports”, “broadcasting start time: 20:00 on May9”, and “channel: 100” that are stored in the reservation informationstorage 36 are associated and the defined program (see the arrow Z inFIG. 3 a) with which “program title: Special Live Broadcast of World CupSports”, “broadcasting start time: 20.00 on May 9”, and “channel: 100”are associated in the first program information at the time point of May2 are considered to be the same.

(d-24) Step S204

The reservation updating unit 333 in the controller 33 updates, whenthere is first program information that coincides with the informationrelating to the reserved program, the information relating to thereserved program stored in the reservation information storage 36 on thebasis of the first program information (step S204). Thereafter, thereservation monitor 331 in the controller 33 performs the operation inthe foregoing step S107.

On the other hand, the controller 33 repeats the operations in the stepsS201 to S203 when there is no first program information that coincideswith the information relating to the reserved program.

(d-25) Specific Example of Step S204

In this example, the reservation updating unit 333 updates theinformation relating to the reserved program stored in the reservationinformation storage 36 by the first program information comprising a“program title”, a “broadcasting start time”, a “channel”, and a“genre”, and a “program identifier”.

Thus, on May 2, the information relating to the reserved program basedon the second program information stored in the reservation informationstorage 36 at the time point of May 1 is updated by “program title:Special Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports”, “broadcasting start time:20:00 on May 9”, “channel: 100”, “genre: sports”, and “programidentifier: 2158” on the basis of the first program information thatcoincides with the information relating to the reserved program (see thearrow Z in FIG. 3 a).

(d-26) Effect

In the broadcasting system 1 according to the present embodiment, theplurality of second program information are thus transmitted to thereceiving device 30 from the broadcasting station apparatus 10, so thatthe viewer can reserve not only the defined program within thepredetermined time period from the date of transmission of thebroadcasting signal but also the future program after the predeterminedtime period from the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal.

(d-27) Another Modified Example

Although in the present embodiment, the controller 33 monitors the pfEITdata in the step S107, the controller 33 may monitor first programinformation continuously received from the broadcasting stationapparatus 10.

In this case, the controller 33 (the reservation monitor 331) compares a“broadcasting start time” for a reserved program stored in thereservation information storage 36 with the current time measured by thetimer 332. Thus, the controller 33 tunes in to a “channel” for thereserved program when the current time comes closer to the “broadcastingstart time” for the reserved program (e.g., one minute before).

The controller 33 extracts, out of a plurality of first programinformation continuously received, the first program information(information relating to defined programs) that coincide in a “channel”with the reserved program. The controller 33 further extracts, out ofthe extracted first program information, the first program informationthat coincide in a “program identifier” with the reserved program on thebasis of a “program identifier” for the reserved program.

Thus, the controller 33 determines whether or not the “broadcastingstart time” for the reserved program is changed, as in the step S108.The controller 33 updates, when the “broadcasting start time” for thereserved program is changed, the “broadcasting start time” in theinformation relating to the reserved program stored in the reservationinformation storage 36 by a “broadcasting start time” in the extractedfirst program information.

On the other hand, the controller 33 maintains, when the “broadcastingstart time” for the reserved program is not changed, the “broadcastingstart time” for the reserved program stored in the reservationinformation storage 36.

The operation of the controller 33 in the step 110 is not limited to theforegoing. When the receiving device 30 comprises a storage that causesrecording media such as a video tape, a DVD (digital versatile disk),and a HD (hard disk) to store information, for example, the controller33 may record the reserved program on the recording media at the“broadcasting start time” for the reserved program.

(e) Procedure for Reservation of Future Program by Viewer and Example ofScreen

Description is made of the procedure for reservation in a case where aviewer reserves the future program in the broadcasting system 1according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure for reservation in a casewhere a viewer reserves the future program in the broadcasting system 1according to a first embodiment. FIG. 9 to FIG. 16 are diagrams showingexamples of images displayed on the program output device 37 shown inFIG. 1 when the viewer reserves the future program.

In a case where the future program is reserved, the viewer operates theoperation device 38 shown in FIG. 1, to cause the program output device37 to display a menu screen on which various functions of the receivingdevice 30 are displayed. FIG. 9 shows an example of the menu screen.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, three function selection buttons B1, B2,and B3 respectively corresponding to “search for program by date ofbroadcasting”, “search for program by genre”, and “information” aredisplayed on a menu screen V1.

The function selection buttons B1, B2, and B3 respectively correspond tothe function of retrieving a future program on the basis of a date ofbroadcasting, the function of retrieving a future program on the basisof a genre, and the function of displaying information toward a viewer.

The viewer operates the operation device 38, to select any one of thethree function selection buttons B1 to B3 (step P1). As shown in FIG. 9,when the function selection buttons B1 to B3 are selected, the selectedfunction selection button B1 is highlight-displayed.

When the viewer selects the function selection button B1, a dateretrieval screen is displayed on the program output device 37. FIG. 10shows an example of the date retrieval screen. Therefore, the viewerretrieves a desired future program by a date retrieval screen V2 (stepP10).

An example of the date retrieval screen V2 will be then described. Asshown in FIG. 10, the date retrieval screen V2 comprises a video displayregion r1, a date display region r2, a program listing display regionr3, and a heading display region r4.

A program on a channel that is being currently turned in to by theviewer, for example, is displayed in the video display region r1.Further, an advertisement or the like is displayed therein.

A date tag DT1 is displayed in the date display region r2. This allowsthe viewer to select a desired date by operating the operation device38.

A program listing on the date selected by the viewer on the basis of aplurality of first or second program information is displayed in theprogram listing display region r3. Therefore, the viewer can select eachof programs displayed by operating the operation device 38. In thiscase, the program selected by the viewer is highlight-displayed.

Information relating to the program selected by the viewer is displayedin the heading display region r4.

The date tag DT1 will be described. FIG. 11 a shows the date tag DT1. Asshown in FIG. 11 a, dates for eight days from the current date (May 1 inthis example) are highlight-displayed in the date tag DT1.

The display of the highlighted dates for eight days indicates that theviewer can reserve, out of defined programs, the program, for example.Consequently, the viewer can reserve a future program by selecting thedate that is not highlighted (May 9 or later in the example shown inFIG. 10).

The viewer selects the desired date (e.g., May 9), so that the selecteddate is highlight-displayed.

The date tag displayed in the date display region r2 is not limited tothat in the foregoing example. For example, a date tag DT2 shown in FIG.11 b or a date tag DT3 shown in FIG. 11 c may be displayed in the datedisplay region r2.

In the date tag DT2 shown in FIG. 11 b, dates for eight days aredisplayed, and date display change buttons B11, B12, B13, and B14 aredisplayed.

The viewer can select the date display change buttons B11, B12, B13, andB14 to change the date displayed in the date tag DT2 by operating theoperation device 38. In the date tag DT2, the date selected by theviewer is also highlight-displayed.

The date tag DT3 shown in FIG. 11 c has a week display frame WC and adate display frame DC. A date at the head of each week (e.g., a date onSunday) is displayed in the week display frame WC. Dates for seven daysin a week selected within the week display frame WC are displayed in thedate display frame DC.

The viewer can select the desired week in the week display frame WC toselect a desired date in the date display frame DC. In the date tag DT3,the dates selected by the viewer within the week display frame WC andthe date display frame DC are respectively highlight-displayed.

In the above-mentioned manner, the viewer selects a desired futureprogram from the date retrieval screen V2 shown in FIG. 10 (step P11).

The viewer can confirm the details of the selected future program byoperating the operation device 38. In this case, a program detail screenis displayed on the program output device 37. FIG. 12 shows an exampleof the program detail screen.

A program detail screen V3 comprises a video display region r1, a datedisplay region r2, and a detailed information display region r5. In thedetailed information display region r5, detailed information relating toa future program selected by the viewer is displayed.

Detailed information relating to such a broadcasting scheduled programis associated as “additional information” with each of a plurality offirst and second program information, which is not described in theforegoing.

Therefore, the viewer confirms the detailed information relating to adesired future program, and selects a reservation button RB to determinethe reservation thereof (step P12).

When the viewer determines the function selection button B2 shown inFIG. 9 in the foregoing step P1, a genre retrieval screen is displayedon the program output device 37. FIG. 13 shows an example of the genreretrieval screen. Thus, the viewer retrieves a desired future program bya genre retrieval screen V4 (step P20).

The genre retrieval screen V4 comprises a video display region r1, adate display region r2, and a genre display region r6. Genres ofprograms are displayed in the genre display region r6. In the exampleshown in FIG. 13, “movie”, “dram”, “sport”, “noteworthy program”, and soon are displayed as the genres of programs.

Here, “genres” are respectively associated with information relating todefined programs in each of the plurality of first program information,as described above. Consequently, the viewer can select a desired“genre”, to display on the program output device 37 the defined programswith which the “genre” is associated as a list

On the other hand, “genres” are not respectively associated withinformation relating to future programs in each of the plurality ofsecond program information. In the present embodiment, however, thefuture programs are classified into the genre “noteworthy program”. Onthe genre retrieval screen V4, the genre of the selected program ishighlight-displayed.

When the viewer selects the genre “noteworthy program”, a noteworthyprogram list screen is displayed on the program output device 37. FIG.14 shows an example of the noteworthy program list screen.

A noteworthy program list screen V5 includes a video display region r1,a date display region r2, and a noteworthy program list display regionr7. A list of future programs is displayed in the noteworthy programlist display region r7. In this list, a “broadcasting start time” and a“program title”, and so on are displayed for each of the futureprograms.

A viewer selects the desired future program from the noteworthy programlist display region r7 on the noteworthy program list screen V5 (stepP21).

Thereafter, the program detail screen V3 shown in FIG. 12 is displayedon the program output device 37. Therefore, the viewer confirms detailedinformation relating to the future program, and selects the reservationbutton RB to determine the reservation thereof, as in the step P12.

In the foregoing step P1, when the viewer selects the function selectionbutton B3 shown in FIG. 9, an information screen is displayed on theprogram output device 37. FIG. 15 shows an example of the informationscreen. The viewer retrieves a desired future program by an informationscreen V6 (step P30).

In the example shown in FIG. 15, two function selection buttons B4 andB5 “display topics” and “display mail” are displayed on the informationscreen V6.

The function selection buttons B4 and B5 respectively correspond to thefunction of displaying topics toward a viewer and the function ofdisplaying a mail toward a viewer.

The viewer operates the operation device 38, to select either one of thetwo function selection buttons B4 and B5 (step P30).

When the viewer selects the function selection button B4, a topicsscreen is displayed on the program output device 37. FIG. 16 a shows anexample of the topics screen.

On a topics screen V7 shown in FIG. 16 a, a plurality of selectionbuttons b1 for respectively displaying a plurality of topics on theprogram output device 37 and a noteworthy program button b2 fordisplaying the noteworthy program list screen V5 shown in FIG. 14 on theprogram output device 37 are displayed.

The viewer selects the noteworthy program button b2, to retrieve afuture program (step P31). Thereafter, the viewer determines thereservation of a desired future program in the same procedure as that inthe foregoing steps P21 and P12.

When the viewer selects the function selection button B5, a mail screenis displayed on the program output device 37. FIG. 16 b shows an exampleof the mail screen.

On a mail screen V8 shown in FIG. 16 b, a plurality of selection buttonsb3 for respectively displaying a plurality of mails on the programoutput device 37 and the above-mentioned noteworthy program button b2are displayed.

The viewer selects the noteworthy program button b2, to retrieve afuture program (step P32). Thereafter, the viewer determines thereservation of a desired future program in the same procedure as that inthe foregoing steps S21 and P12.

In the receiving device 30 in the broadcasting system 1 according to thepresent embodiment, the viewer can reserve the desired future program byoperating the screen displayed on the program output device 37 invarious procedures.

(f) Another Example of Operation for Comparing Reserved Program andDefined Program at the Time of Program Information Updating Processing

As described in the foregoing, the reservation updating unit 333 in thecontroller 33 shown in FIG. 1 determines whether or not a plurality offirst program information newly received include information relating toa defined program that coincides in a “broadcasting start time” and a“channel” with a reserved program stored in the reservation informationstorage 36 and coincides therewith in at least a part of a “programtitle”, and considers that the defined program satisfying the conditionscoincides with the reserved program. However, an algorithm of thecomparison operation and the determination operation by the reservationupdating unit 333 is not limited to the foregoing.

The reservation updating unit 333 may determine whether or not theplurality of first program information newly received includeinformation that coincides with information relating to the reservedprogram stored in the reservation information storage 36 by thefollowing algorithm.

For example, the reservation updating unit 333 may determine whether ornot the plurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that completely coincides in a“channel”, a “broadcasting start time”, and a “program title” with thereserved program stored in the reservation information storage 36, andconsider that the defined program satisfying the conditions is identicalto the reserved program.

The reservation updating unit 333 may determine whether or not theplurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that coincides in a “channel”with the reserved program stored in the reservation information storage36 and coincides therewith in at least a part of a “program title”, andconsider that the defined program satisfying the conditions is identicalto the reserved program.

Furthermore, the reservation updating unit 333 may determine whether ornot the plurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that coincides in a“broadcasting start time” with the reserved program stored in thereservation information storage 36 and coincides therewith in the lengthof a character string of a “program title”, and consider that thedefined program satisfying the conditions is identical to the reservedprogram.

In each of the plurality of first program information, “additionalinformation” relating to the detailed description of the program may befurther associated with each of the defined programs. In each of theplurality of second program information, “additional information”relating to the detailed description of the program may be furtherassociated with each of the future programs.

In this case, the reservation updating unit 333 may determine whether ornot the plurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that completely coincides in“additional information” with the reserved program stored in thereservation information storage 36, and consider that the definedprogram satisfying the conditions is identical to the reserved program.

Furthermore, the reservation updating unit 333 may determine whether ornot the plurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that coincides in at least apart of “additional information” with the reserved program stored in thereservation information storage 36, and consider that the definedprogram satisfying the conditions is identical to the reserved program.

In addition thereto, the reservation updating unit 333 determineswhether or not the plurality of first program information newly receivedinclude information relating to a defined program that coincides in a“program title” with the reserved program stored in the reservationinformation storage 36, and consider that the defined program satisfyingthe conditions is identical to the reserved program.

Furthermore, the reservation updating unit 333 may determine, when itincludes no information relating to a defined program that coincides ina “program title” with the reserved program, whether or not theplurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that coincides in a“broadcasting start time” with the reserved program stored in thereservation information storage 36 and coincides therewith in the lengthof a character string of a “program title”, and consider that thedefined program satisfying the conditions is identical to the reservedprogram.

(g) Example of Other Configuration of Broadcasting System

In the broadcasting system 1 according to the first embodiment, aplurality of second program information need not necessarily begenerated by the broadcasting information generation device 17 in thebroadcasting station apparatus 10. The broadcasting system 1 may havethe following configuration.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the other configuration of thebroadcasting system 1 according to the first embodiment. A broadcastingsystem 1 shown in FIG. 17 differs in the configuration from thebroadcasting system 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the following points.

In the broadcasting system 1 shown in FIG. 17, second programinformation is generated by a viewer operating an operation device 38.Consequently, a broadcasting station apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 17 isnot provided with the second program information storage 15 shown inFIG. 1.

In this case, the viewer can generate the second program informationusing the operation device 38 by acquiring information relating to afuture program from media such as a magazine and the Internet. Thesecond program information generated by the viewer is transmitted to acontroller 33 from the operation device 38. Thus, the second programinformation is acquired by the controller 33, and is stored in a secondprogram information storage 35.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the still other configuration of thebroadcasting system 1 according to the first embodiment. A broadcastingsystem 1 shown in FIG. 18 differs in the configuration from thebroadcasting system 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the following points.

In the broadcasting system 1 shown in FIG. 18, a broadcasting stationapparatus 10 is not provided with the second program information storage15 shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, a receiving device 30 is furtherprovided with an Internet communication unit 39. The internetcommunication unit 39 is connected to the Internet 40.

In the broadcasting system 1 shown in FIG. 18, second programinformation generated by each broadcasting station is stored in a server(not shown) connected to the Internet 40.

Therefore, a controller 33 in the receiving device 30 downloads thesecond program information from the server through the Internetcommunication unit 39 and the Internet 40. In this case, the downloadedsecond program information is acquired by the controller 33, and isstored in a second program information storage 35.

Furthermore, in the broadcasting systems 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 17, and 18,a broadcasting signal is transmitted to the receiving device 30 by radiothrough a satellite 20 from the broadcasting station apparatus 10, asdescribed above.

However, transmission means of the broadcasting signal from thebroadcasting station apparatus 10 to the receiving device 30 is notlimited to the same. For example, the broadcasting signal may betransmitted to the receiving device 30 by wire through a cable from thebroadcasting station apparatus 10.

(h) As to Receiving Device

Although in the present embodiment, description was made of an examplein which the receiving device 30 is a television receiver, it may be arecording/reproduction device that records information on a recordingmedium such as a video tape, a DVD, or a HD and reproduces theinformation recorded on the recording medium. In this case, a programoutput device 37 includes an output terminal of a video signal, an audiosignal, and a data signal.

(2) Second Embodiment

(a) Details of First and Second Program Information

Description is made of a broadcasting system according to a secondembodiment. The broadcasting system according to the second embodimenthas the same configuration as that of the broadcasting system 1according to the first embodiment. In the broadcasting system accordingto the second embodiment, information included in each of a plurality offirst and second program information differs from the informationincluded in each of the plurality of first and second programinformation used in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrams showing examples of the first and secondprogram information that are changed with an elapse of the date oftransmission of a broadcasting signal in the broadcasting systemaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 a shows an example of first program information on May 1, andFIG. 19 b shows an example of second program information on May 1. FIG.20 a shows an example of first program information on May 2, and FIG. 20b shows an example of second program information on May 2.

As shown in FIGS. 19 a and 20 a, a “channel”, a “broadcasting starttime”, a “program title”, and a “genre” are associated with a definedprogram in the first program information used for the broadcastingsystem according to the present embodiment, and a “first programidentifier” and a “second program identifier” are associated therewith.

In the present embodiment, the “first program identifier” corresponds tothe “program identifier” used for the broadcasting system 1 according tothe first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 19 b and 20 b, a “channel”, a “broadcasting starttime”, and a “program title” are associated with a future program in thesecond program information used for the broadcasting system according tothe present embodiment, and a “second program identifier” is associatedtherewith.

The “second program identifier” is given to the future program by abroadcasting information generation device 17 when the organization ofthe future program is determined.

Thereafter, the broadcasting information generation device 17 generates,when days have elapsed and the “broadcasting start time” for the futureprogram is within a predetermined time period from the date oftransmission of the broadcasting signal, information relating to adefined program having the same contents as those of informationrelating to the future program, and gives the defined program the same“second program identifier” as that given to the future program.

Here, a future program “Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” at the timepoint of May 1 (see an arrow T in FIG. 19 b) and a defined program“program title: Special Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” at the timepoint of May 2 (see an arrow U in FIG. 20 a) are programs having thesame contents, as in the first embodiment.

The broadcasting information generation device 17 gives, when it gives“second program identifier: 99902” to the future program “Live Broadcastof World Cup Sports” at the time point of May 1 (see the arrow T in FIG.19 b), “second program identifier: 99902” to the defined program“Special Live Broadcast of World Cup Sports” at the time point of May 2(see the arrow U in FIG. 20 a), as shown in FIG. 19 b, for example.

Since a defined program indicated by an arrow R in FIG. 20 a at the timepoint of May 2, for example, does not exist as a future program in thesecond program information shown in FIG. 19 b at the time point of May1, however, it is given no second program identifier.

In the broadcasting system according to the second embodiment,therefore, each of the plurality of first and second program informationis given a “second program identifier” common between a defined programand a future program that correspond to each other.

Consequently, the reservation updating unit 333 in the receiving device30 (see FIG. 1) can determine whether or not a plurality of firstprogram information newly received include information that coincideswith information relating to a reserved program stored in a reservationinformation storage 36 by an algorithm using the “second programidentifier” in the steps S202 and S203 shown in FIG. 7.

For example, the reservation updating unit 333 can determine whether ornot the plurality of first program information newly received includeinformation relating to a defined program that coincides in a “secondprogram identifier” with the reserved program stored in the reservationinformation storage 36, and consider that the defined program satisfyingthe conditions is identical to the reserved program.

In this case, the reservation updating unit 333 can reliably determine,even when a “program title” associated with the future program differsfrom a “program title” associated with the same defined program as thefuture program, whether or not the plurality of first programinformation include information that coincides with the informationrelating to the reserved program stored in the reservation informationstorage 36 on the basis of the “second program identifier”.

(b) Method of Transmitting First and Second Program Information

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the respective configurationsof first and second packets used for the broadcasting system accordingto the second embodiment. FIG. 21 a shows a first packet PB1, and FIG.21 b shows a second packet PB2.

The first packet PB1 shown in FIG. 21 a includes a “first flag”, a“first program identifier”, a “channel”, a “broadcasting start time”, a“program title”, a “genre”, and a “second program identifier” in thisorder.

The second packet PB2 shown in FIG. 21 b includes a “second flag”, a“channel” a “broadcasting start time”, a “program title”, and a “secondprogram identifier” in this order.

The above-mentioned “first flag” indicates that the subsequentinformation is first program information. The “second flag” indicatesthat the subsequent information is second program information. Thisallows the receiver 30 to identify the first and second programinformation in the broadcasting signal by the “first flag” and the“second flag”.

(3) Correspondences Between Various Elements Recited in the Claims Belowand Those Described Above with Respect to Various Preferred Embodimentsof the Present Invention

In the first and second embodiments, the broadcasting controller 16 andthe multiplexer 18 correspond to a transmitter, the broadcastingcontroller 16 and the broadcasting information generation device 17correspond to a program information generator, the program identifier inthe first embodiment and the first program identifier in the secondembodiment correspond to a first program identifier, and one or pluralof the “program title”, the “broadcasting start time”, the “channel”,and the “program identifier” associated with the broadcasting scheduledprogram in the first and second program information correspond toorganization information.

The decoder 32 and the controller 33 correspond to a receiver, thedecoder 32, the controller 33, and the Internet communication unit 39correspond to an acquisition unit, the first program information storage34 and the second program information storage 35 correspond to astorage, the reservation monitor 331, the timer 332, the reservationsetter 334, or the operation device 38 corresponds to a reservationunit.

Furthermore, the operation device 38 corresponds to an input device, thereservation information storage 36 corresponds to a storing unit, thereservation updating unit 333 in the controller 33 corresponds to areplacement unit, the controller 33 and the program output device 37correspond to an output unit, and the reservation updating unit 333corresponds to a determination unit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a broadcasting system such as atelevision broadcasting system, a broadcasting station apparatus, areceiving device, and a broadcasting method.

1. A broadcasting system comprising a broadcasting station apparatusthat transmits a broadcasting signal including the contents of a programand a receiving device that receives the broadcasting signal includingthe contents of the program; wherein said broadcasting station apparatuscomprises a transmitter that transmits said broadcasting signal, and aprogram information generator that generates first program informationrelating to a broadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined timeperiod from the time of transmission of said broadcasting signal andsecond program information relating to a broadcasting scheduled programafter said predetermined time period from the time of transmission ofsaid broadcasting signal, and wherein said transmitter transmits saidfirst program information generated by said program informationgenerator together with said broadcasting signal, said first programinformation includes a first program identifier for identifying thebroadcasting scheduled program within said predetermined time period andorganization information relating to organization of the broadcastingscheduled program, said second program information includes organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram, and said receiving device comprises a receiver that receivessaid broadcasting signal and said first program information, anacquisition unit that acquires said second program information, astorage that stores said first program information received by saidreceiver and said second program information acquired by saidacquisition unit, and a reservation unit that reserves the broadcastingscheduled program on the basis of said first or second programinformation stored in said storage.
 2. The broadcasting system accordingto claim 1, wherein said transmitter in said broadcasting stationapparatus transmits said second program information generated by saidprogram information generator together with said broadcasting signal,and said receiver in said receiving device functions as said acquisitionunit, and further receives said second program information, to acquiresaid second program information.
 3. The broadcasting system according toclaim 1, wherein said receiving device further comprises an input devicefor inputting said second program information, and said acquisition unitin said receiving device acquires said second program informationinputted by said input device.
 4. The broadcasting system according toclaim 1, wherein said second program information is stored in apredetermined server connected to the Internet, and said acquisitionunit in said receiving device acquires said second program informationby downloading from said predetermined server through the Internet. 5.The broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein said receivingdevice further comprises a storing unit that stores the first or secondprogram information corresponding to the broadcasting scheduled programreserved by said reservation unit, a replacement unit that replaces,when the first program information corresponding to the second programinformation stored in said storing unit is received by said receiver,the second program information stored in said storing unit with thefirst program information received by said receiver, and an output unitthat outputs a broadcasting signal corresponding to the broadcastingscheduled program reserved by said reservation unit on the basis of thefirst program identifier in said first program information stored insaid storage.
 6. The broadcasting system according to claim 5, whereinsaid organization information includes a broadcasting start time, abroadcasting channel, and a program title for the broadcasting scheduledprogram, said receiving device further comprises a determination unitthat determines a correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in said storing unit and the first programinformation received by said receiver on the basis of the broadcastingstart time, the broadcasting channel, and the program title for saidbroadcasting scheduled program, and said replacement unit replaces thesecond program information stored in said storing unit with the firstprogram information received by said receiver on the basis of thecorrespondence relationship determined by said determination unit. 7.The broadcasting system according to claim 5, wherein said secondprogram information includes a second program identifier for identifyingthe broadcasting scheduled program after said predetermined time period,said first program information corresponding to said second programinformation includes said second program identifier, said receivingdevice further comprises a determination unit that determines acorrespondence relationship between the second program informationstored in said storing unit and the first program information receivedby said receiver on the basis of said second program identifier, andsaid replacement unit replaces the second program information stored insaid storing unit with the first program information received by saidreceiver on the basis of the correspondence relationship determined bysaid determination unit.
 8. A receiving device that receives abroadcasting signal including the contents of a program transmitted froma broadcasting station apparatus, comprising: a receiver that receivessaid broadcasting signal and first program information relating to abroadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined time period fromthe date of transmission of said broadcasting signal by saidbroadcasting station apparatus; an acquisition unit that acquires secondprogram information relating to a broadcasting scheduled program aftersaid predetermined time period; a storage that stores said first programinformation received by said receiver and said second programinformation acquired by said acquisition unit; and a reservation unitthat reserves the broadcasting scheduled program on the basis of saidfirst or second program information stored in said storage, said firstprogram information including a first program identifier for identifyingthe broadcasting scheduled program within said predetermined time periodand organization information relating to organization of thebroadcasting scheduled program, and said second program informationincluding organization information relating to organization of thebroadcasting scheduled program.
 9. The receiving device according toclaim 8, wherein said second program information is transmitted by saidbroadcasting station apparatus, and said receiver functions as saidacquisition unit, and further receives said second program information,to acquire said second program information.
 10. The receiving deviceaccording to claim 8, further comprising an input device for inputtingsaid second program information, said acquisition unit acquiring saidsecond program information inputted by said input device.
 11. Thereceiving device according to claim 8, wherein said second programinformation is stored in a predetermined server connected to theInternet, and said acquisition unit acquires said second programinformation by downloading from said predetermined server through theInternet.
 12. The receiving device according to claim 8, furthercomprising a storing unit that stores the first or second programinformation corresponding to the broadcasting scheduled program reservedby said reservation unit, a replacement unit that replaces, when thefirst program information corresponding to the second programinformation stored in said storing unit is received by said receiver,the second program information stored in said storing unit with thefirst program information received by said receiver, and an output unitthat outputs a broadcasting signal corresponding to the broadcastingscheduled program reserved by said reservation unit on the basis of thefirst program identifier in said first program information stored insaid storage.
 13. The receiving device according to claim 12, whereinsaid organization information includes a broadcasting start time, abroadcasting channel, and a program title for the broadcasting scheduledprogram, said receiving device further comprises a determination unitthat determines a correspondence relationship between the second programinformation stored in said storing unit and the first programinformation received by said receiver on the basis of the broadcastingstart time, the broadcasting channel, and the program title for saidbroadcasting scheduled program, and said replacement unit replaces thesecond program information stored in said storing unit with the firstprogram information received by said receiver on the basis of thecorrespondence relationship determined by said determination unit. 14.The receiving device according to claim 12, wherein said second programinformation includes a second program identifier for identifying thebroadcasting scheduled program after said predetermined time period,said first program information corresponding to said second programinformation includes said second program identifier, said receivingdevice further comprises a determination unit that determines acorrespondence relationship between the second program informationstored in said storing unit and the first program information receivedby said receiver on the basis of said second program identifier, andsaid replacement unit replaces the second program information stored insaid storing unit with the first program information received by saidreceiver on the basis of the correspondence relationship determined bysaid determination unit.
 15. A broadcasting station apparatus thattransmits a broadcasting signal including the contents of a program,comprising: a transmitter that transmits said broadcasting signal; and aprogram information generator that generates first program informationrelating to a broadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined timeperiod from the time of transmission of said broadcasting signal andsecond program information relating to a broadcasting scheduled programafter said predetermined time period from the time of transmission ofsaid broadcasting signal, said transmitter transmitting said firstprogram information generated by said program information generatortogether with said broadcasting signal, said first program informationincluding a first program identifier for identifying the broadcastingscheduled program within said predetermined time period and organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram, said second program information including organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram.
 16. The broadcasting station apparatus according to claim 15,wherein said transmitter transmits said second program informationgenerated by said program information generator together with saidbroadcasting signal.
 17. The broadcasting station apparatus according toclaim 15, wherein said organization information includes a broadcastingstart time, a broadcasting channel, and a program title for thebroadcasting scheduled program.
 18. The broadcasting station apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein said second program information includesa second program identifier for identifying the broadcasting scheduledprogram after said predetermined time period, and said first programinformation corresponding to said second program information includessaid second program identifier.
 19. A broadcasting method fortransmitting a broadcasting signal including the contents of a programby a broadcasting station apparatus and receiving the broadcastingsignal including the contents of the program by a receiving device,comprising the steps of: transmitting said broadcasting signal by saidbroadcasting station apparatus; generating first program informationrelating to a broadcasting scheduled program within a predetermined timeperiod from the time of transmission of said broadcasting signal andsecond program information relating to a broadcasting scheduled programafter said predetermined time period from the time of transmission ofsaid broadcasting signal in said broadcasting station apparatus;transmitting said generated first program information together with saidbroadcasting signal by said broadcasting station apparatus; receivingsaid broadcasting signal and said first program information in saidreceiving device; acquiring said second program information in saidreceiving device; storing said received first program information andsaid acquired second program information in said receiving device; andreserving the broadcasting scheduled program on the basis of said storedfirst or second program information, said first program informationincluding a first program identifier for identifying the broadcastingscheduled program within said predetermined time period and organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram, said second program information including organizationinformation relating to organization of the broadcasting scheduledprogram.
 20. The broadcasting method according to claim 19, wherein thestep of reserving the broadcasting scheduled program in said receivingdevice includes the steps of storing the first or second programinformation corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled programin said receiving device, replacing, when the first program informationcorresponding to the stored second program information is received, thestored second program information with the received first programinformation in said receiving device, and outputting a broadcastingsignal corresponding to the reserved broadcasting scheduled program onthe basis of the first program identifier in said stored first programinformation by said receiving device.